Well, it's back to school... And I am really pissed off at my teacher.

It was Additional Maths period, and only half of the class are taking it. So the other half were given worksheets to do. The teacher ended up teaching them, talking about Elementary Maths instead of teaching us Additional Maths during the period in which she was suppose to teach us Additional Maths.

I am so mad at her! She practically ignored us when she was supposed to be TEACHING us. Ugh. The Elementary Maths students kept asking the teacher to explain stuff to them, and the teacher complied. But because of that, she didn't teach us. She only manage to go through two examples - only TWO!!! - and then told us to do some sums. HOW FAIR IS THAT?!

I am so irritated at her. My friend and I told teacher that she's supposed to teach us, not them, but she ignored us, saying that we should be patient.

SHE WAS PAID TO TEACH US ADDITIONAL MATHS DURING ADDITIONAL MATHS PERIOD, NOT TEACHING OTHER STUDENTS OTHER STUFF DURING ADDITIONAL MATHS PERIOD!!!

I so hate her!!!

In the end, since she's not teaching us, my friends and I talked about other stuff and ignored her. In defiance, I read the library book that I brought with me to school.

I am so irritated at her. I refuse to talk to her. I refuse to do my homework. I refuse to volunteer to do any sums on the whiteboard - not that I've ever volunteered, the teacher has to force me out of my seat to go to the whiteboard.

It's a bit like sulking, but hey. It's her own fault. Who told her to pay more attention to the E Maths students instead of A Maths students? And she herself said that, "We are behind time, we should be on the next chapter already." And who was it who didn't teach us? She herself. Ugh. In the end, she will scold us for being 'behind time'. Ugh.

I am so pissed. Then, my English didn't come. She was absent, sick, I think. If not, it's her son that's sick. I wanted her to come, at least, she'd be nicer and she'd make all my miseries go away...

I love my English teacher... She is so sweet, nice and fun to hang around with. Unlike my Maths teacher. I feel like kicking something. Since I couldn't, I ranted. Sorry.

Monday's celebration in school was fun. There was a hilarious drama presentation and the sing-along session was a blast.

By the last song, we were so thirsty that we practically shouted the words instead of singing. ^^ It was a fun day!

Yesterday was the actual National Day. I watched the Parade on television at home, which is more comfortable than at Tampines. But it was equally fun! ^^ My whole family sang the National Anthem at the end of the Parade. ^^

I went to Tampines and got my Fun Pack. There are a lot of stuff inside it. Singapore flag, tidbits, torchlight, a commemorative CD, a special edition magazine... and lots more! The bag was quite heavy. ^^

After looking around at the exhibitions, which are mostly about Singapore's defences - the Army, Police, Navy, Air Force, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)... even the local newspaper was holding an exhibition. It was hot, but enjoyable. ^^

I went to a book sale with my sister after that. We bought the books that we have been searching for since early this year. We were so excited that we finally found them. It was a trilogy, so we couldn't wait to finish the whole series. ^^ Even though we missed the first part of the Parade because we were looking for books at the book sale, we managed to get the books that we want. So we are satisfied. ^^

Yesterday was a tiring day. We had to wake up at eight in the morning to take part in a National Day Observance Ceremony organised by the Residents' Commitee (RC). It's where neighbours - everyone in the block - come together to celebrate National Day. It was quite fun.

Now that all the celebrations are over, I need to start studying. I have a test tomorrow. And homework to be done. But I'm still in a National Day mood. ^^

I know I said in my previous post that I won't be changing my background anytime soon, but I can't resist this beautiful picture of the Esplanade. ^^ (I took this picture from TrekEarth.com - wonderful website, that is!)

The building is unique as it it shaped like a durian. Durian looks like this:

See the resemblance? Singaporeans have this thing about durians. They - durians, I mean - can be found almost everywhere in Singapore. There's one whole stretch of road where all the stalls sell durians near my home.

Durians have a powerful smell, so they aren't allowed to be brought aboard public transports or air-conditioned places. Some people, like me, like the smell. Other people can't stand the smell of durian. Most foreigners detest the durians - mostly because of the smell, I guess. But it's quite delicious, though I refrain from taking it as it is a heaty food.

This is the sign commonly seen in train stations.

The best thing about durians is opening it. I love to open durians, but not eat them. The way they are opened up interests me. And the inside -
- it really is 'cute' how the yellow part - the part that you eat - is positioned. ^^

Durians are very versatile. You can use it to make cakes, cream puffs, a sort of yogurt - I don't know what it's called in English, and lots more. You can even eat it with rice! Cool, huh?

One of the things that makes Singapore Singapore is the durians. And of course, the Esplanade - some calls it "Durian"... you know why... because it resembles the durians! - where art performances and theatre productions can be enjoyed by everyone. ^^

The crescent moon represents a young nation on the ascendant. The five stars stand for the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

Cool, huh? I had to memorise all that in Primary 5 - when I was 11 years old.

The flag is so simple to draw that I used to make one every National Day. Then come along the plastic flags sold at shops and I stopped making them. haha...

Every August, we 'fly' the flag... put it up in front of our houses, displaying our patriotism. The thing is, the flag is put over the ledge. And sometimes, people put their laundry on top of the flag, covering the flag. This is a big no-no. You may get fined - I think.

I think that kind of behaviour is inappropriate. I mean, it's our country's flag! We should respect it! I hate people who put things over their flag, and covering the nice flag.

I don't know why, but I am feeling very patriotic this past few days. Even my site is about Singapore! *shakes head* Must be because National Day is just around the corner... I am so excited! ^^

The poem recital this morning turned out okay. My teacher recited an excerpt from a very sweet poem. It was so touching...

Anyway, I don't think I'll be making anymore changes to my site. I think it's quite okay, so I'll leave it at that.

Tomorrow will be a long day. I have to help set up the stage for the National Day Celebration in my school. Monday is the day of celebration itself. Tuesday is National Day - so it's a public holiday. And so is the day after that. Two days of holiday! Yay!

Every day in school, during the assembly, everyone has to sing the National Anthem. Every morning, as we sing, the Singapore flag will be raised. The so-called 'flag-raising ceremony'. Everyone, at least, the younger generation, knows or even memorised the National Anthem - we sing it every day.

Anyway, I wanted to upload the song to my site so you guys can hear it, and add a bit of Singaporean to my site, but I can't. I don't have any place to upload it on. I got the song from www.sg - the official Singapore site. But I can't upload it. ugh.

But at least, I finally managed to change my background. It's the Merlion!!! Singapore's icon. Half lion, half fish. It's so unique! ^^ By the way, 'singa' is the malay word for lion. roar. ^^

Anyway, it's been a busy, busy day. I have to make the stage for the National Day celebration in my school. My friends and I spent almost the whole day yesterday drawing and painting the landforms Singapore is popular for, such as the Esplanade and the Changi Airport. We also painted the buses and trains. And of course, Singapore's national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim. It's so pretty, our teachers like it. ^^

I am so tired. I have a lot of tests to study for. Such bad timing... but what to do? I'd better get going.

I am a little bit off the rocket, today. I am tired, but it's not time for bed yet. Nobody goes to bed at 1930. At least, not me.

I have finally logged in to see my neopets... It's been a long, long, long time since I checked on my pets. They are dying. Poor creatures... Bad me!

There are a lot of free stuff on Neopets. My friend told me where to get the free stuff. There's even a site specially made for the links to the free stuff. It's so cool. ^^

I don't know why I even bother. But I really need to release stress and have a bit of fun.

National Day is coming up on 9 of August. The National Day Parade (NDP) will be held at The Padang. Padang is the malay word for Field, and the Padang is mainly it - a field. NDPs are usually held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, which can occupy more people, but this year, it'll be held at the Padang.

To compensate for that, there will be Celebration@Heartlands, at the North, East and West corners of Singapore. The padang is at the town area, 'middle' of Singapore.

The thing about National Day is the Fun Pack that only spectators at the Stadium/Padang will get. This year, however, Fun Packs will also be given at the Celebration@Heartlands - to those with tickets.

Only a few can get tickets. Fewer still get to go to the Padang. I am so jealous of my neighbours - they get to go to the actual Parade at the Padang. But at least, I got tickets for the Fun Packs. For that, I am grateful.

Hehe... Come to think of it, I am one of the lucky few that got tickets for the Fun Pack. It's all thanks to my mother - I love her so much! ^^

So, with a little bit of patriotic enthusiasm, I leave you with Singapore's national anthem. ^^

It's my friend's birthday today. I bought her Fruits Basket volume 10... She's a big fan of Fruits Basket. The manga's quite expensive. It's around $8... which is more than what I have, so two other friends and I shared to get the present. At least, it's something...

Anyway, I still have a lot of homework to do. I am feeling so tired... I was almost late for school this morning. I woke up at 0630, instead of 0600. Luckily, I am not one who likes to go about doing stuff slowly. I went extra fast today, and ate only two pieces of bread, which is far from satisfying my hunger. By recess time, I was starving. And the teacher let us off late, too. I was so hungry...

Whee... after a refreshing nap, I'm all geared up for homework. Sadly, I can't spend too much time on the Net this weekend. I'm working on a schedule. I must finish everything by the deadline, if not, I'm dead.

I have a lot of work lined up for me. National Day is just around the corner... 9 August. There will be a celebration, just like the years before. There will be plays, poetry, singing... It'll be one heck of a celebration. My class is working with another class to produce a video about Singapore... and we are also supposed to decorate the stage, and also to clean up after the celebration. Why is it suddenly my class that has to do all the work? sigh. Not to mention homeworks, tests and projects. It'll one tiring month.

Anyway, I joined Miss Anonymous' Commenters Club. Thank you for accepting me. ^^

I am so tired of school. Every day, it's the same routine. Wake up, go to school, come back home, do homework, sleep then wake up again... I am getting bored. Sick and tired of doing the same thing every single day. sigh.

I sure hope this 'phase' will pass, if not, I won't be able to concentrate with my studies.

Okay, I am really tired. I came back only at 1730 today. I have school tomorrow - Saturday. I am so not looking forward to it. But hey, school's school. I have to attend, unless I'm sick and got a doctor's letter. My school is so complicated. sigh.